SB Nation Reacts: Are the Spurs poised for improvements this season?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in San Antonio Spurs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

San Antonio’s preseason schedule comes to a close on Friday night as they host the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center in another installment of the I-10 rivalry. And while the Spurs have drawn even across four exhibitions, their record hardly matters, especially with head coach Gregg Popovich tinkering with rotations.

These glorified scrimmages might not count for anything. But this week’s SB Nation Reacts poll tried to gauge how NBA fans across the country are feeling about their favorite team after watching them integrate fresh and familiar faces throughout the preseason. So, are people as confident in their clubs now as they were during the offseason?

Well, the mixed reviews aren’t all that shocking. For some, the preseason serves as a barometer for regular-season success, leaving them fuming or delighted, depending on the results. For others, the preseason might be their first taste of NBA action in months, yet merely a meaningless dress rehearsal for players that you shouldn’t read into too deeply.

As for the Silver and Black faithful, the preseason has brought a myriad of interesting topics to the forefront. Not only did the Spurs give former first-round pick Luka Samanic the metaphorical boot earlier this week, but they have consistently showcased Josh Primo down the stretch, with the 18-year-old demonstrating the confidence, poise, and skill of a seasoned vet.

San Antonio’s offseason additions should give fans plenty of reasons to believe the Spurs will adopt a run-and-gun playstyle with enough three-point shooting to resemble a modern offense. However, their middling long-range volume and 26th ranked pace hasn’t inspired too much confidence in those hoping for a change of philosophy.

That said, the preseason is the perfect place to experiment with lineups and concepts without consequence. The Spurs have all the makings of an elite defense capable of forcing turnovers and punishing the opposition in transition. Just because general manager Brian Wright’s vision hasn’t materialized during the preseason doesn’t mean it won’t eventually come together.

Enough on what the NBA’s numerous dry runs may or may not mean. Why don’t we discuss the WNBA, where consequential contests are underway. The Phoenix Mercury took down the Chicago Sky Wednesday night, seizing Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in an overtime thriller.

And with the series now tied 1-1, it’s no wonder voters seem virtually split on which team will take home some well-earn championship hardware. The Mercury might have a 4% edge over the Sky, but there’s still loads of basketball left to play in this best-of-five battle.

Game 3 will broadcast this Sunday on ABC at 2 PM CT. You can also tune in live on WatchESPN.

To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here. For more Spurs talk, subscribe to Alamo City Limits on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.